The Munchkin cat is a unique and adorable breed that is becoming more popular by the day. Their short legs and playful personalities can make them a wonderful addition to the family. However, there’s more to these cats than meets the eye. Keep reading as we list several surprising facts that you might not know about these these unique-looking cats.
The 15 Munchkin Cat Facts
1. Munchkin Cats Are New
The Munchkin cat is a relatively new breed that was unavailable before 1991. Breeders found the parent cat in Louisiana; they had a naturally occurring genetic mutation that resulted in short legs. Breeders began working with this mutation to create a new cat breed that we now know as a Munchkin.
2. Munchkin Cats Come in Many Colors and Patterns
Munchkin cats come in various colors and patterns. The most common ones include white, grey, black, orange, and cream. The tabby pattern is quite common, though you can also find cats with tortoiseshell and calico patterns.
3. Munchkin Cats Are Controversial
Unfortunately, the Munchkin cat’s short legs cause a great deal of controversy with animal welfare organizations that worry that the breed is unethical. Munchkin breeders argue that the breed is healthy and that the short legs do not cause significant health problems.
4. Munchkin Cats Are Playful and Social
Any owner will tell you that their Munchkin cats are playful and social. They enjoy interacting with their owners and other pets and often follow people around the house to get more attention.
5. Munchkin Cats Have a Unique Way of Running
Munchkin cats tend to hop and skip rather than run in a traditional sense due to their short legs, and many people describe their gait as similar to that of a rabbit.
6. Munchkin Cats Are Athletic
Despite their short legs, Munchkin cats can climb stairs and jump on furniture like any other cat. That said, preventing them from jumping from high surfaces is important to avoid back problems later in life.
7. Munchkin Cats Are Intelligent
Cats are quick learners, and you can train them to do various tricks like coming when called or walking on a leash.
8. Munchkin Cats Are Great With Children and Other Pets
Despite their small size, Munchkin cats are not afraid to be social with children and other pets. These cats enjoy playing and cuddling and if properly socialized, they may even climb into bed with the dog to get a good nap. However, owners should always keep in mind that, unlike normal cats, Munchkins are unable to jump to high vertical spaces, making them more susceptible to dog attacks.
9. Munchkin Cats Have a Long Lifespan
Despite many organizations worrying about how their short legs affect their health, many Munchkin cats can live up to 15 years or longer with proper care, which is as long as many other cat breeds. Although it is true, some Munchkins are susceptible to other skeletal deformities including lordosis and pectus excavatum.
10. Munchkin Cats Are Popular
Due to their attractive appearance and playful personalities, they have a large and devoted fanbase that continues to grow despite the controversy surrounding them. There are often long waiting lists to obtain one from a breeder.
11. Munchkin Cats Have a Unique Standing Habit
Munchkin cats tend to perch like ferrets or prairie dogs on their hind legs when standing still, an adorable behavior that helps them stand out among other cats (pun intended).
12. Munchkin Cats Can Have Different Leg Lengths
Munchkin cat legs can be different sizes, including standard, super short, or rug hugger, which are the shortest. Some Munchkins even carry the gene but express long legs like a normal cat.
13. Munchkin Cats Like to Hoard
Munchkin cats like to hoard shiny objects and often hide them under the carpet or furniture to pull them out and play with later. When an owner finds their cat’s hiding spot, it will usually have many objects stuffed inside.
14. You Cannot Mate Two Munchkin Cats
The short legs of the Munchkin cat are the result of a dominant gene that many breeders call the lethal gene. Mating two cats with this gene will only result in the death of embryos during early development in the womb.
15. The Munchkin Is the Parent of Several Other Mixed Breeds
Breeders have mixed the Munchkin breed with many other breeds to create unusual mixes. For instance, a Munchkin crossed with the Scottish Fold creates the Scottish Kilt, while a Munchkin crossed with a LaPerm makes a Skookum. New combinations are always coming out.
Conclusion
The Munchkin cat is a unique and fascinating breed that is rapidly becoming more popular. While their short legs have sparked controversy, Munchkins are known for their playful personalities, intelligence, and affectionate nature toward their human family members and other pets, making them a great addition to any family. They also tend to have long lifespans that rival those of other cat breeds.
See also:
- How Big Will My Munchkin Cat Get? Size + Growth Chart
- How High Can a Munchkin Cat Jump? Breed Facts & FAQs
Featured Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 15 Munchkin Cat Facts
- 1. Munchkin Cats Are New
- 2. Munchkin Cats Come in Many Colors and Patterns
- 3. Munchkin Cats Are Controversial
- 4. Munchkin Cats Are Playful and Social
- 5. Munchkin Cats Have a Unique Way of Running
- 6. Munchkin Cats Are Athletic
- 7. Munchkin Cats Are Intelligent
- 8. Munchkin Cats Are Great With Children and Other Pets
- 9. Munchkin Cats Have a Long Lifespan
- 10. Munchkin Cats Are Popular
- 11. Munchkin Cats Have a Unique Standing Habit
- 12. Munchkin Cats Can Have Different Leg Lengths
- 13. Munchkin Cats Like to Hoard
- 14. You Cannot Mate Two Munchkin Cats
- 15. The Munchkin Is the Parent of Several Other Mixed Breeds
- Conclusion
